Need tire expertise...

[Damager]

I recently bought a set of style 63 wheels (OEM) on Craigslist. The tires have very little tread left, and need to be replaced. They are a staggered setup, and the seller told me the sizes are:

"The fronts are 19x9 ET 48 and the rears are 19x10 ET 45."

When I look at tire sites, they seem to want size info like "19/235/35". How do I translate the info from my seller to the size of tire I need to purchase?

I know this is likely a pretty basic question, and appreciate any help you can provide.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by Damager

I recently bought a set of style 63 wheels (OEM) on Craigslist. The tires have very little tread left, and need to be replaced. They are a staggered setup, and the seller told me the sizes are:

"The fronts are 19x9 ET 48 and the rears are 19x10 ET 45."

When I look at tire sites, they seem to want size info like "19/235/35". How do I translate the info from my seller to the size of tire I need to purchase?

I know this is likely a pretty basic question, and appreciate any help you can provide.

Tires are designated in this general format = width/profile-wheel diameter, speed rating (sometimes when people are discussing tires they don't always list the R for radial or the speed rating).

The OEM tire sizes for those wheels are:

255/50-R19V = 255mm width, 50 series profile (50% of width), R (radial), 19" diameter wheel, V (speed rating, V = 130mph-149mph)
285/45-R19V



Wheels are 19" diameter and either 9" wide or 10" wide. ET is wheel offset in mm (48mm and 45mm). For wheel offset explained, see here:

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/...jsp?techid=101

[Damager]

Thanks Twins!

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by Damager

Thanks Twins!

You're welcome and post pics later.

[Damager]

Ok - so am I right in reading this to mean I need:

2 tires size 19/255/50 and
2 tires size 19/285/45

or am I mis-interpreting this?

Thanks again...

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by Damager

Ok - so am I right in reading this to mean I need:

2 tires size 19/255/50 and
2 tires size 19/285/45

or am I mis-interpreting this?

Thanks again...

Correct for your interpretation.

However, when talking about tires, especially if you're talking to the tire shop or ordering online, the proper terminology would be:

2 tire size = 255/50-R19V
2 tire size = 285/45-R19V

[Damager]

First, thanks for all the info so far.

I put the wheels I purchase on my X - the difference in the look of the car is huge! I'm leaving the original tires on the wheels for now - they don't have a ton of tread left, but I'll replace the tires in the early Summer.

The current tires are Michelin Diamaris, with the exact specs that Twins quoted above. The tires say max pressure of 51 pounds (which seems very high), but what do you think would be the optimal tire pressure for these tires? The tire pressure on the door sticker is stated for 17 inch tires.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by Damager

First, thanks for all the info so far.

I put the wheels I purchase on my X - the difference in the look of the car is huge! I'm leaving the original tires on the wheels for now - they don't have a ton of tread left, but I'll replace the tires in the early Summer.

The current tires are Michelin Diamaris, with the exact specs that Twins quoted above. The tires say max pressure of 51 pounds (which seems very high), but what do you think would be the optimal tire pressure for these tires? The tire pressure on the door sticker is stated for 17 inch tires.

First that's the max, which is not for normal operating conditions. Some people put a little more pressure to get a little more MPG.

Ask the tire dealer, they should know the tire mfgr recommended pressures. Its probably approx 30PSI.

For the 19" maybe do a search here or look on the homepage on one of the user manuals.

[X5 Meister]

Check your manual, should have all the relevant pressure. You can also download a manual from the home page. On 19" OEM tires I believe it's 32 front 32 rear. Spare which is probably a 17" should be overinflated like to around 43.

[Damager]

Yep - right there in the manual - 32 on front and 32-39 (depending on load) in the back.

Thanks for your input.